Mustangs score 27 runs in doubleheader split

DOWNERS GROVE — More often than not, scoring 27 runs in two games is going to lead to two wins.

The Mustangs had to settle for a split of a weekend doubleheader in Sterling, falling 11-10 in the first game but winning Game 2 17-10.

“Offensively we’re hitting well and scoring runs, but we have to get a little better defensively,” South coach Ron Havelka said. “Defensively we’re not where we need to be.”

Crystal Loehman, Caitlyn Daly and Zahryha McFarland all hit home runs over the weekend as South’s record moved to 4-2 ahead of games against Naperville North and Naperville Central (April 11 in Naperville) this week.

Kelly Schmitt carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of Friday’s 8-2 win over Plainfield North. Offensively, Loehman, Daly, Kristin Lea, Melissa Orton, Jessica Andree and Kaley Smith all had two hits against Plainfield, while Orton and Daly each drove in two runs.

Havelka is hoping the pitching, offense and defense can take care of business starting with Saturday’s doubleheader against Peotone and Lockport. Those two games start a stretch of nine games in a week and six in a row on the road, which includes contests against Hinsdale South (April 15), Benet (April 16), Leyden (April 17) and Marist (April 18).

“We’ve got a lot of games coming up, so that’s going to show us where we’re at,” Havelka said. “We’re a young team. We’ve got a taste of what it’s all about in the first six games, and now we can learn from it and build on it.”